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StaffLife Story Funeral Director
herbayres@lifestorynet.com
As a young man growing up between the small communities of Tecumseh and Clinton, Herb Ayres was willing to try almost anything. At Clinton High School, Herb lettered in golf, basketball, and football. He was also the editor of the school newspaper, president of the student council, and a member of the symphonic and jazz bands. Although he was active in all these things, it was golf that became Herb's real passion. He was intrigued by the game, which taught him great mental discipline. Plus, the sport allowed him to spend time with his father, who had already turned 40 when Herb was born.
After graduating high school in 1970, Herb accepted a scholarship to study aeronautical engineering. Meanwhile, he began working part-time in a funeral home owned by a friend of the family. Herb liked the job; so much so, in fact, that he soon decided it was the field he wanted to pursue. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1974 and Wayne State University in 1976. By 1977, Herb had secured a position as a funeral director with the firm belonging to Bob Gren. Bob admitted to Herb that he was looking for someone to take over for him, and Herb turned out to be the perfect successor. Bob integrated Herb into the business, serving as his most valued mentor. True to his word, Bob sold the business to Herb as his health began to decline in the following years. Bob eventually passed away, but Herb would always remember his generosity and guidance.
Herb's approach when meeting with grieving families has been largely shaped by Bob Gren, though Herb's own encounters with death have influenced him as well. By the time he turned 45, Herb had lost many close relatives. This included his wife Pam, who had worked closely with her husband and had been instrumental in making the Portage chapel of Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren a reality. As difficult as these losses were, they allowed Herb to better help people who were going through similar circumstances. He developed a personal mission when working with families, which was simply to engage them as friends.
The addition of Life Story Network® to RDMG has helped Herb accomplish his mission. "Life Story Network® has given me the tools," he says, "to allow families to reach into their hearts and say and do things previously unsaid and undone - saying goodbye without regrets." With LSN, Herb is able to provide service that not only meets, but exceeds every family's expectations.
Since 1997, Herb has successfully been raising his three daughters by himself, though he admits that being a single parent is not easy. He currently lives with the youngest of his three girls in a Victorian home he has restored in Plainwell. Whenever Herb has any free time he spends it playing golf, the game he has loved since childhood.
After graduating high school in 1970, Herb accepted a scholarship to study aeronautical engineering. Meanwhile, he began working part-time in a funeral home owned by a friend of the family. Herb liked the job; so much so, in fact, that he soon decided it was the field he wanted to pursue. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1974 and Wayne State University in 1976. By 1977, Herb had secured a position as a funeral director with the firm belonging to Bob Gren. Bob admitted to Herb that he was looking for someone to take over for him, and Herb turned out to be the perfect successor. Bob integrated Herb into the business, serving as his most valued mentor. True to his word, Bob sold the business to Herb as his health began to decline in the following years. Bob eventually passed away, but Herb would always remember his generosity and guidance.
Herb's approach when meeting with grieving families has been largely shaped by Bob Gren, though Herb's own encounters with death have influenced him as well. By the time he turned 45, Herb had lost many close relatives. This included his wife Pam, who had worked closely with her husband and had been instrumental in making the Portage chapel of Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren a reality. As difficult as these losses were, they allowed Herb to better help people who were going through similar circumstances. He developed a personal mission when working with families, which was simply to engage them as friends.
The addition of Life Story Network® to RDMG has helped Herb accomplish his mission. "Life Story Network® has given me the tools," he says, "to allow families to reach into their hearts and say and do things previously unsaid and undone - saying goodbye without regrets." With LSN, Herb is able to provide service that not only meets, but exceeds every family's expectations.
Since 1997, Herb has successfully been raising his three daughters by himself, though he admits that being a single parent is not easy. He currently lives with the youngest of his three girls in a Victorian home he has restored in Plainwell. Whenever Herb has any free time he spends it playing golf, the game he has loved since childhood.
